Dee's Blessings - Blog Blessings

Monday (ok, this is a little late!) Dee's Blessings - people who know me well call me Dee and you can too. Here you'll find the many blessings in my life in hopes of inspiring you to recognize these things, and others, in your own life.

Dee's Blessings is something I usually like to do on Mondays and in case you have't noticed, today is Tuesday. But hey, better late than never right?

This may seem like an odd thing to consider a blessing, but that's what this blog is to me for so many reasons.

• It gives me the chance to express myself
• It gives me an opportunity to write and showcase my skills
• It requires me to step up and be a better Christian by forcing me to recognize my blessings.
• It helps me to point out the blessings in others lives which hopefully impacts their lives in some way.

It's so ironic that not all that long ago I couldn't possibly understand what benefit a blog could be to me. It was only after I started playing around with one and falling upon uses for it that I found it of such value.

I love that it's such an instantaneous thing. I can have a thought and see it online immediately. It's the way to go for me. And although I still try and find writing jobs in hard copy publications, I find it frustrating. I still haven't heard from a few of the publications that I contacted last year, despite emails from the editor expressing a vague interest. At least with the blog I have control over what I do and when I do it. And this way I don't have to pester an overwhelmed editor to get my work seen by the public!

Thank God for this wonderful technology. When it is working properly and utilized properly, it really is a useful tool.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

A Schedule for my blog, "Blessings from Above"

As I delve deeper into this new world (it's new for me anyway) of blogging, I am learning quite a bit as I go along. I've read more blogs than I can remember and have been reading "Clear Blogging," by Bob Walsh which I'd highly recommend if you are new to blogging (and even if you are experienced!)

Much of what I've read and seen says it's important to set up a schedule for everyday of the week rather than just posting things at random. So here goes....this is what you'll now find on Blessings from Above:

Monday - Dee's Blessings - people who know me well call me Dee and you can too. Here you'll find the many blessings in my life in hopes of inspiring you to recognize these things, and others, in your own life.

Tuesday - Blessing Others - suggestions how you can be a blessing to others.

Wednesday - Blessing Inspirations - Insightful quotes, Bible verses, and poems on the topic of Blessings.

Thursday - Blessing Experts - here's where I will share with you what Christian leaders, authors, musicians, and speakers, have to say on blessings. My post about Joel Osteen would fall under this category.

Friday - Biblical Blessings - This will focus on blessings found throughout the Bible and how they can apply to our lives today.

Saturday and Sunday - A breather from the week with an occasional posting - anything goes on the weekend!

Enjoy!
Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

How-to Recognize Blessings

It's easy in the everday scheme of things to get lost in all the hussle and bussle, making it difficult to recognize the blessings that exist in our lives. So how do we go about it? Here are a few easy tips:

• Slow down - for whatever reason the world has programmed us to believe that we must do things at lightening speed. Well I am here to tell you that that really isn't necessary. If something, short of providing life saving medication, doesen't get done, I promise life will go on. We need to slow down and stop barreling through life to see things a little better, including blessings.

• Take it one thing at a time - we're surely going to miss a blessing if we're talking on the phone while checking our email, or driving while text messaging (which I DO NOT support by the way!). If you are a multi-tasker and the thought of slowing down the pace to doing one thing at a time drives off a bridge, give it a try at least once in a while. You'll feel less stressed and your mind will be clearer to pick up on the nice little things that God does for you that you may not realize.

• Write down all the good things that have happened to you - choose a time period, whether it be a day, a week or a month, and just write down every good thing that happened to you. The visual list may help you to stop dwelling on the bad and start focusing on the good. You'd be surprised at how many good things are in your life. Start zeroing in on these things and spend time enjoying them.

Look for my list of blessings, coming as a post sometime soon.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above!"
Denise

Transportation

My husband and I have a Corvette that we've always wanted. Not because of how nice it looks or how fast it goes, but because of the places it takes it. We love all our cars for the same reason. They give us independance.

Because of our cars we can:

• Go places we wouldn't get to go otherwise


• See family and friends we wouldn't be able to see.


• Learn new things


• Get goods for our everyday lives that we wouldn't get near our home.

As much upkeep as cars and other modes of transportation can require sometimes like oil changes, keeping pressure in the tires, and other bigger maintenance jobs. It's worth it for the freedome we get from cars. Next time you are at the gas pump stressing over the cost of gas, be thankful for the car that God gave you. It's really a great invention.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

Lost skills found

I always get upset over my paternal grandmother moving and then passing away so early on in my life. She was an Italian woman with a lot of talents. She could cook a delicious meal for an army in a half-an-hour or less and I still have all the blankets she crocheted and the Christening gown she made for me 33 years ago. Not only do I miss her, but I feel like I could have learned so many of these wonderful things from her in my adult years.

Three years ago this March I took on a new job at a local University. I thought the only benefit was going to be earning cash to pay the bills. It turned out to be much more than that. I make money, friends, and learn new things to help me in my job and my personal life.

Three of my co-workers and I have become good friends. We've spent many evenings in the Sahm Craft studio eating, drinking wine, and learning new things. They've taught me all kinds of things from creating beautiful stained glass pieces, to scrap booking techniques, and crocheting. Not only do I bond and make memories with them, I am able to learn the things that my grandmother was never able to teach me and turn around and use it for good. Right now I am crocheting a blanket to keep the animals warm at the animal shelter and I hope to teach others my new skill when I get a little better at it.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise

Bibles

There are six Bibles in my house and only two people live here. Think how fortunate we are to have one Bible, let alone six. People in other countries are often persecuted if found with God's Word. Add to that the fact that I can read it because of a good education and have the willingness to accept what it says, you can see how lucky I am.

Although I've yet to read the Bible from cover-to-cover yet, I plan on it. For now, I read it in bits and pieces, grateful for it's words. A verse that I came upon recently is a favorite: "The Lord bless you all the days of your life." Psalm 128.5 I truly wish that for you and your family (and mine too!)

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"
Denise